Turf repair tool



Aug. 14, 1962 w. E. PELOW TURF REPAIR TOOL Filed March 2, 1961 INVEN TOR.

WILLIAM E. PELOW 'J 1 H/ 20: 20b 20a ATTORNEY.

United rates Parent 3,049,182 TURF REPAIR TOOL William E. Pelow, 248 Bellevue Ave., Syracuse, NY. Filed Mar. 2, 1961, Ser. No. 92,792 3 Claims. (Cl. 172-378) This invention relates broadly to a tool for working certain forms of earth such as turf. More particularly, this invention relates to a hand tool for repairing relatively expensive turf of the kind used on the putting surface of a golf course. Still more particularly, this invention pertains to a hand operated tool for repairing turf on the putting surface of a golf course which sustains damage due primarily to the action of a golf ball landing on the putting surface.

It is well known to those familiar with the game of golf that a common problem encountered by those charged with maintenance of a golf course is the restoration of the putting surface after damage due to the termination of the flight of a golf ball on the putting surface. the ball has imparted thereto a reverse spin so that the natural indentation on the surface is aggravated, resulting in torn turf.

This invention contemplates a relatively inexpensive tool that may be easily carried by a player for repairing the torn turf at the time it is damaged.

Accordingly, the chief object of this invention is the provision of a tool for repairing damage to turf caused by a projectile such as a golf ball terminating its flight on the surface of the turf.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a tool of the kind under consideration wherein manual manipulation of the tool is all that is necessary to repair the damaged turf.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a tool of the type described including a handle and blade arrangement having relative pivotal movement for ease in the use thereof.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a hand tool of the kind under consideration fabricated of relatively lightweight material and compact in construction so that a golfer may easily carry it in his pocket. Such a tool may then be used by the golfer to repair turf immediately after the damage thereto. Thus, the green or putting surface is promptly restored to its original con dition.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent upon a consideration of the ensuing specification and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a hand tool illustrating the invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view, with portions broken away, of the tool showing the respective parts in their operating position.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the tool with a portion broken away to illustrate the connection between the handle and blade members.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a damaged section of turf and the action of the tool as repair begins.

Referring to the drawings for an illustration of a preferred embodiment of the invention, the tool includes a handle assembly 12 and a blade assembly 14. The blade support portion 16, formed of either plastic material or a light metal, is pivotally connected to one end of the handle 18 as at 19 with conventional fastening elements, including a spring washer, for the purpose of requiring a small amount of force to be applied to the blade to accomplish the pivotal movement to be later described.

Extending from the end of the blade support portion 16 remote from its connection to the handle are a plurality of tines or prongs 20a, 20b and 20c arranged in Usually,

lee

parallel relation. The tines may be cast in the blade or assembled in preformed openings with conventional assembly techniques.

Located at the end of the handle 18 remote from its connection with member 16 is abutment member 22 having surface 24 serving as a stop in a manner to be later described. The abutment member also includes surface 26 disposed normal to surface 24- and is proportioned to provide a section 28, note FIGURE 2, of surface 30 to conceal the pointed ends of the tines when the blade is positioned in the manner shown in FIGURE 1.

The handle 18 is provided with a notch 32 extending inwardly from an edge thereof for receiving pin 34 projecting from the blade support to positively assure axial positioning of the parts when the blade assumes the position illustrated in FIGURE 2.

Considering the operation of the tool, the normal position of the parts is shown in FIGURE 1. In the position illustrated, the blade has been rotated relative to the handle until tine 20a engages surface 24. Section 28 of the abutment member 22 overlies and conceals the ends of tines 20a, 20b and 200 having turf penetration points formed thereon. The tool may then be inserted into a pocket of the golfer without fear of damage to the clothing or fingers.

Once the turf has been damaged by a ball having been lofted thereon with reverse spin in the manner described heretofore, the golfer rotates the blade relative to the handle until the parts assume the position illustrated in FIGURE 2. Engagement of the pin 34 Within notch 32 assures axial alignment of the parts sulficient to restore the displaced turf.

Referring to FIGURE 4, it will be seen that a cavity 40 is formed in the surface of the green causing a turf displacement 42 to project upwardly above the plane of the green. The mound of compressed turf 42 has a surface of grass. The cavity has a grass surface except in the area 44 where earth is exposed as the grass is torn. To repair the damage illustrated in FIGURE 4, the golfer inserts the tines rearwardly of the mound of turf 42 and applies a relatively small amount of force sufficient to relieve the compressed turf and force it gently to its original form until the exposed earth portion of the cavity is covered and the depression elevated. The tines are then extracted and any resulting unevenness removed with a finger or the fiat surface of handle assembly 12. Because the tines are substantially parallel, there is absent a tendency for dirt to adhere to the surface thereof upon extraction of the tool.

In addition to being arranged in parallel alignment, the tines 20a, 20b and 20c are preferably either circular or oval in shape and spaced apart a distance greater than the thickness of the tine to further obviate any tendency for turf to adhere thereto. Preferably the tines comprise over half of the length of the blade so that relatively lightweight material can be used in the construction of the tool to transmit the force necessary to accomplish the turf restoration.

While one embodiment of the invention has been described, it will be apparent that other constructions and arrangements will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departure from the inventive concept as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A hand manipulated turf Working tool comprising handle means including a substantially planar member, a blade abutment element positioned at one end thereof, said blade abutment element having a first surface; and a blade assembly including a blade support portion pivotally connected to the end of the said planar member, remote from the end accommodating the abutment element, a plurality of spaced turf-penetrating tines connected at one end to and projecting longitudinally of said blade support portion, said turf-penetrating tines each having a curvilinear cross-section, said turf-penetrating tines being arranged coplanar and arranged relative to one another so that the space between adjacent tines exceeds the width of the tine, said first surface having a height above the planar member at least as great as that of the blade support portion, said blade assembly from said pivotal connection to the free ends of said tines being of such length that the blade assembly has a first operating position wherein said blade assembly forms an axial extension of said handle means and a second storage position wherein said blade assembly overlies the planar member with one of said turf-penetrating tines engaging said first surface and the ends of said tines disposed below the upper vertical limit of said first surface.

2. A hand manipulated turf working tool as in claim 1 wherein said blade abutment element includes a portion arranged in space relation to said planar member to shroud the ends of said tines.

3. A hand manipulated turf working tool as in claim 1 wherein said planar member is provided with a recess in one edge thereof and said blade support includes a protuberance depending from the under surface thereof, said protuberance being constructed and arranged to engage the recess when the blade assembly is in its operating position.

References Cited in the file of thisrpatent UNITED STATES PATENTS 236,711 Lines Jan. 18, 1881 426,445 Hasselstrom Apr. 29, 1890 870,413 Brown Nov. 5, 1907 2,781,711 Williams Feb. 19, 1957 

